Adventures in the Adirondacks

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It was an exciting and eventful summer at the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb. The season kicked off Memorial Day weekend with another successful Loons and Logs Day. Our one-of-a-kind, made in the U.S.A., rubber loons continue to be a popular way to support the center. Check out the 2013 Loon Race Report to find out more about the day’s events and winners.

The center was also filled with new staff this summer. Two new permanent staff members, Program Manager, Frank Morehouse and Assistant Program Manager, Kristin Pasquino, came on board in May and June. Both Kristin and Frank are ESF graduates with a passion for the Adirondacks and for sharing the natural world with others.

Thanks to the Adirondack Park Institute, the office at the AIC was filled with summer staff as well. Funding from API made it possible to hire a college Interpretive Naturalist Intern as well as two high school Junior Naturalists. These staff members were a huge help in getting through the busiest season.

INI intern Angela helps a young girl explore animal prints found in an Adirondack lake ecosystem at the Adirondack Challenge Event in July.

Angela Noviasky, a Natural Resources Management senior at SUNY ESF, was our Interpretive Naturalist Intern this summer. Angela brought an enormous amount of enthusiasm with her from her hometown Syracuse. In addition to helping coordinate the Loons and Logs event, Angela helped develop great educational programs throughout the summer. Angela graduates from ESF in December and we wish her the best of luck.

Rebecca Marra and Erin Mackey returned for their third summer as Junior Naturalists. Rebecca lives in Newcomb with her grandparents while Erin lives in Ballston Lake, but spends the summers in Newcomb with her grandmother.

Rebecca’s summer project put her love of photography to work. She used her great talent as a photographer to add to our collection. She also started work on an ongoing photography program we’re developing at the AIC with social media.

Examples of photos taken by JN intern Rebecca over the past three summers

Erin was a huge help with the guest services side of the AIC operation. She developed lists of frequently asked questions that AIC staff can reference should they find themselves stumped by a guest’s inquiry. Both Erin and Rebecca also created and updated educational displays for children and families throughout the summer. We thank them both for their hard work.

We also had help from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Maggie Busman worked as a WCS Bear Steward. In this position Maggie spent four days of the week at the Upper Works Trailhead providing information about bears and bear encounter prevention to hikers. She also spent a day a week at the AIC and, while here, Maggie gave a weekly bear presentation which was very well attended and informative.

WCS Bear Steward Maggie presenting at the AIC

Now that summer’s gone and the leaves have fallen, we’ve switched gears to our fall programming. School is back in session and we’re busy providing educational programs to several schools, including Newcomb and Long Lake, as well as schools from outside the region. We also have great public programs throughout the fall and winter, so check out our website, http://www.esf.edu/aic or Facebook to see the latest schedule. We hope to see you soon!